(LEAD) Over 1,200 F-15K parts found defective, causing safety concerns
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, May 29 (Yonhap) -- Some 1,200 F-15K parts from U.S. manufacturer Boeing have been found to be defective since the country began operating the fighter aircraft in 2005, raising serious concerns over the safety of the multimillion-dollar aircraft, an official at the state defense procurement office said Thursday.
South Korea is currently operating 29 F-15K jets, each valued at over US$100 million, while an additional 10 will be delivered later in the year under a 2002 contract. Seoul just sealed a 2.3-trillion-won ($2.3 billion) deal with Boeing and American engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney to purchase an additional 21 F-15Ks by 2012.
The defects were found in some 500 kinds of repair parts purchased since October 2005, causing delays before aircraft under maintenance can be flown again, the official from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.
The official, who asked not to be identified, said they have yet to find any serious problems with the safety of the aircraft as most of the defective parts had little to do with the actual operation or flying of the fighter.
"One F-15K aircraft has some 65,000 parts that can be repaired or replaced, which means there are over 2 million parts in all F-15Ks currently operating here, and 1,200 defects out of 2 million parts means a 0.05 defect rate, which is far less than average defect rates of other aircraft," the DAPA later said in a press release.
An Air Force official, however, dismissed the claim over the safety of operating F-15Ks, saying there is no aircraft part that has nothing to do with the safety of the aircraft.
"The safety of a vehicle is significantly jeopardized when any one of its many bolts becomes loose. A fighter jet is a much more sophisticated machine, and anything in its operation can go wrong because of a defective bolt," the official said, asking not to be identified.
Still, the Air Force official noted there are no immediate threats in operating the F-15K as the Air Force currently checks every spare part that is put into the fighter.
The Boeing office in Seoul refused to comment on the issue.
One F-15K has crashed since Seoul began operating the U.S. fighter jet in 2005 due to a phenomenon known as G-Loc, in which the pilot loses consciousness from exposure to excessive g-force.
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Re: Over 1200 defects found in spares sent to S.K. for the F-15K
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May 29 2008, 5:39 PM
The official, who asked not to be identified, said they have yet to find any serious problems with the safety of the aircraft as most of the defective parts had little to do with the actual operation or flying of the fighter.
"One F-15K aircraft has some 65,000 parts that can be repaired or replaced, which means there are over 2 million parts in all F-15Ks currently operating here, and 1,200 defects out of 2 million parts means a 0.05 defect rate, which is far less than average defect rates of other aircraft," the DAPA later said in a press release.
An Air Force official, however, dismissed the claim over the safety of operating F-15Ks, saying there is no aircraft part that has nothing to do with the safety of the aircraft.
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Defects are unacceptable!
Mobile airpower
"The enemy dies relaxed," observed a Lockheed Martin manager.
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Re: Over 1200 defects found in spares sent to S.K. for the F-15K
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May 29 2008, 5:48 PM
Quote:"One F-15K aircraft has some 65,000 parts that can be repaired or replaced, which means there are over 2 million parts in all F-15Ks currently operating here, and 1,200 defects out of 2 million parts means a 0.05 defect rate, which is far less than average defect rates of other aircraft," the DAPA later said in a press release
True. it is unacceptable. But come on. Filin`s comparing American planes to russian ones. If the rate of 0.05 % is true, Russia`s would be 10 times or 20 times that.lol.
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Re: Over 1200 defects found in spares sent to S.K. for the F-15K
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May 29 2008, 5:53 PM
You can also be sure Russian officials will make it their priority to notify the Indians of this incident, I bet there is already a memo on someones desk about this
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Re: Over 1200 defects found in spares sent to S.K. for the F-15K
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May 29 2008, 5:56 PM
Its made by the same company, when Algerians refused Mig-29s you can be sure that Boeing exploited that to their advantage in the MRCA tender, now its the Russian turn.
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Re: Over 1200 defects found in spares sent to S.K. for the F-15K
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May 29 2008, 6:01 PM
Quote:
Quote:Its made by the same company, when Algerians refused Mig-29s you can be sure that Boeing exploited that to their advantage in the MRCA tender, now its the Russian turn.
Blah..blah..
The Indians had thier own problems with Russian equipment. The engines of thier early Su-30 were found to be defective. Im certain they can tell quality from crap well enough.
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Re: Over 1200 defects found in spares sent to S.K. for the F-15K
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May 29 2008, 6:04 PM
Quote:Stop pulling statistics out of thin air, I asked you about the defects rate of a Su-35, share it with everyone here.
Stop trying to understand Engrish!!. I said Russian equipment are well known for quality issues. Who is talking about the Su-35 which the Russian air force has even yet to officially procure?
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Re: Over 1200 defects found in spares sent to S.K. for the F-15K
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May 29 2008, 6:09 PM
You specifically stated that a Russian defect rate is 10x worse, why dont you share what it really is. You have absolutely no proof to back up your claims.
Su-35 is flying, at least a squadron is in service, but believe it or not a defect rate can be figured out well before the plane is flying.
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Re: Over 1200 defects found in spares sent to S.K. for the F-15K
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May 29 2008, 11:58 PM
The F-15C beam failure was due to metal fatigue that comes about with age. It is not a defect in the quality of the beams, but from extensive use. The F-15E uses a different design, and the F-15C is being replaced by the F-22.
The quote system is foolproofTEXT
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Re: Over 1200 defects found in spares sent to S.K. for the F-15K
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May 30 2008, 3:02 AM
I suggest you read the article first before trying to lecture me. Every part has to be able to withstand a some number of hours of use, if it did not under normal conditions than it is deemed defective. All spelled out in english for you in the link above.
Im not sure what you mean for the failure rate of aircraft, Justin didnt really know what he was talking about but these things are usually not measured like that. Each part has its own set of specifications, and we can only apply those rates to the individual parts.
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